Upgrade Testing Guide

Using the latest version of Fredhopper is crucial to maintaining maximum performance, security, and functionality. The introduction of automated version updates will soon simplify this process, ensuring your system remains up-to-date with minimal effort. For more information see also Automated Version Updates - FAQ.

To ensure a smooth transition between versions Crownpeak is committed to carrying out extensive quality assurance of each new version while also monitoring environments during and immediately after the upgrades. Given the customization options within Fredhopper, we nevertheless recommend conducting a quick test. This guide outlines the recommended steps to validate that your systems operate as expected post-upgrade.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Before the upgrade, perform your usual tasks to establish a performance baseline. This helps identify any issues that may arise from the upgrade.
2. Carefully read the release notes and upgrade notes provided. They contain important information about new features, improvements, and fixes that can guide your testing focus.
3. Perform the upgrade.
4. Conduct the following recommended tests:
   1. Execute routine operations like creating or modifying facets, redirects, result modifications, synonyms, and ranking cocktails. Ensure these functions work without issues.
   2. Test search keywords to confirm that the expected results are returned consistently.
   3. Check top category and product listing pages to verify that results display as anticipated.
5. Validate performance and output for each test:
   1. Ensure that any modifications have taken effect as intended.
   2. Check that the system behaves as expected, with no anomalies.
6. Remove any test configurations or data that you do not wish to keep.

Note: This guide provides a general framework for the minimum recommended testing. We strongly encourage you to review the release notes for the current version and to carry out any additional testing tailored to your specific environment and needs.

Quality Assurance Process

Crownpeak follows a comprehensive Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) methodology, which includes unit tests, peer reviews, automated and manual functional testing, integration testing, and performance testing.

Cloud Operations Monitoring

The Crownpeak Cloud Operations team will verify that the environment continues to handle queries efficiently and that all performance metrics remain within normal operating levels.